Physicians sometimes have difficulty distinguishing chloracne from more common skin disorders. FOIA The person with this condition is very sensitive to both heat and sunlight. Veterans can apply online or by printing out the VA form 10-10EZ and delivering it to a local VA clinic in person or through the mail. Chloracne is a rare skin condition consisting of blackheads, cysts, and nodules. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide,
While humanitarian and global health groups are responsible for helping those in Vietnam, any US veterans who suspect they may have skin or other health concerns as a result of exposure to Agent Orange should immediately contact their local Veteran Services. While it can help provide supporting medical documentation, the Agent Orange Registry medical examination is not connected to any other veterans benefits offered by the Veterans Affairs. Over time, the skin may become thicker, crusted, or scarred, but some areas may also become thinner and more sensitive to injury. Gundogan B, Dowlut N, Rajmohan S, Borrelli MR, Millip M, Iosifidis C, Udeaja YZ, Mathew G, Fowler A, Agha R. JAAD Int. In the following slides, find examples of rashes and skin changes that can occur with: Some skin conditions can appear differently on darker skin tones, making misdiagnosis more likely. 800-829-4833, Veterans Crisis Line:
Copyright 2023. An herbicide known as Agent Orange came into play in the Vietnam War. The following slides show pictures of rashes due to contact dermatitis, a hay fever rash, and other allergic and sensitivity reactions. Severe chloracne can lead to open sores and permanent scars. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Korean demilitarized zone or another area where Agent Orange was sprayed may be eligible for a free Agent Orange registry health exam. Follow these guidelines to help ease discomfort and speed up the healing process: Talk with a healthcare professional, who may recommend OTC medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat mild pain associated with the rash. Febrile illness with skin rashes. The unifying feature of all rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains. If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near you. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. Would you like email updates of new search results? 1,335 Agent Orange Premium High Res Photos Browse 1,335 agent orange stock photos and images available, or search for vietnam agent orange to find more great stock photos and pictures. Rashes have a variety of causes, from bites to chickenpox to serious conditions like drug allergies. (This can include certain chemicals, acids, botanicals, metals, and more.) What it looks like: Contact dermatitis has the same symptoms mentioned above, and can be a red rash that appears scaly or blistered, depending on its cause and severity. Fluid-filled cysts. If your over-the-counter products arent working, youre suffering from a rash for a week or so, and its not improving, you should touch base with a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Zeichner says. However, many tick bites do not cause a bullseye rash; it appears in about 70 to 80% of Lyme patients. Last medically reviewed on April 14, 2022. A VA medical professional will discuss the results with the veteran during a consultation after the exam, and a written report will be mailed. Two skin conditions, chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda, may be related to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department. Mil Med. Madeleine, Preventions assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. There are many autoimmune diseases. Erythrasma is most common in warm, humid climates. To see all the pictures on one screen, click view all.. Erysipelas is an infection of the upper layers of the skin (superficial). Blackheads/pimples, especially around the eyes and temples. What it looks like: Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is a blistering rash. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that affects the bodys B-cells is known as chronic B-cell leukemia. This is what we are trained to do, and treatment depends on proper diagnosis. Be sure to tell your doctor how long youve had the rash and any other symptoms youve been experiencing (such as a fever or difficulty breathing). Certain medications can cause rashes in some people, either as a side effect or an allergic reaction. Hives might not cause any discoloration on darker skin, so be alert for raised patches or weltsthose could be a sign of urticaria. Carefully follow any treatments your doctor prescribes. The images below show how various exposures can affect the skin. However, in some cases, they may be uncomfortable, especially when they develop on the bottom of the feet, says Dr. Zeichner. The effects destroyed his heart. Multiple myeloma is another form of cancer that affects the white blood cells, specifically the plasma cells. Here are some adult acne treatment options. The most common scalp symptoms are: Itch. Agent Orange newsletter article: Skin Conditions Qualifying for Presumptive Service Connection Chloracne and Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you've earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family memberlike health care, disability, education, and more. It can be life threatening. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026508. Several diseases were reported, including rashes congenital disabilities in children, cancer, Hodgkin's disease, leukoma and other psychological symptoms. Inconclusive evidence exists for an increased risk of other skin diseases in Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange including benign fatty tumors, melanomas, nonmelanoma skin cancers, milia, eczema, dyschromias, disturbance of skin sensation, and rashes not otherwise specified. Occupational Exposures and Environmental Health Hazards of Military Personnel. Allergies and sensitivities to food and other substances can cause skin rashes. However, the condition often escalates to multiple myeloma. You may not be able to take them if you have liver or kidney disease or a history of stomach ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy may exist with a diabetes diagnosis, especially if diabetes is not well-managed in a patient. Some are mild and need no intervention, while others can be a sign of a severe underlying disorder. The Agent Orange Registry Health Exam is offered to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange. Family members are not eligible. Some rashes are harmless and go away in time, but others may signify a, There are many types of rash, and some can feel hot when they are touched. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 1998 Apr;106 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):671-8. doi: 10.1289/ehp.106-1533419. Other symptoms to note: The rash is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including high fever, cough, and runny nose. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscienceand she helps strategize for success across Preventions social media platforms. visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. Not only did it destroy plants, it had very damaging results on human beings. The herbicide is also connected to some congenital disabilities in children of Vietnam veterans, including spina bifida, heart defects, cleft palate, and cleft lip. Redness usually appears on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. Possible causes of contact dermatitis include: Taking medications may also cause rashes. Jake Smith, an editorial fellow at Prevention, recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in magazine journalism and just started going to the gym. Jun 04, 2010 #3. redbone48 wrote: I'm a Viet Nam Vet 100% IU P&T . To treat dandruff, use one of these best of the best dandruff shampoos. usually located in clusters on the lower legs and feet, itchy, small red bumps on lighter skin tones, and more plum-like in color on darker skin tones, symptoms begin immediately after being bitten, symptoms include headache, fatigue, low fever, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, and nausea, children are more likely than adults to experience a rash, round, bright red rash on the cheeks, but it may be less noticeable on darker skin tones, usually after the face rash, a lacy-patterned rash may appear on the arms, legs, and upper body and might be more visible after a hot shower or bath, chronic (long-term) skin disease that goes through cycles of fading and relapse, relapses may be triggered by spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, sunlight, stress, and the intestinal bacteria, the four subtypes of rosacea encompass a wide variety of symptoms, common symptoms include facial flushing, raised red bumps, facial redness, skin dryness, and skin sensitivity, on darker skin tones, brown or yellowish-brown bumps may appear, and the rash can have a dusky coloration, often located in the area around the mouth, chin, and nose, irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily and form a honey-colored crust, can also appear brown, purple, or gray on darker skin tones, itchy, circular scaly patches with raised borders, on lighter skin tones, the patches can appear pink or red, on darker skin tones, the patches can appear gray or brown, skin in the middle of the ring appears clearer, and the edges of the ring may spread outward, appears hours to days after contact with an allergen, has visible borders and typically appears where your skin touched the irritating substance, on darker skin tones, it may be less noticeable, may have blisters that weep, ooze, or become crusty, on darker skin tones, it can cause darker brown, purple, or gray patches, painful, red blisters in the mouth and on the tongue and gums, flat or raised red spots located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, on darker skin tones, it can be skin-colored or grayish-brown, spots may also appear on the buttocks or genital area, located on areas that have contact with a diaper, skin looks red, wet, and slightly lighter or darker than typical skin color, dry, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated skin, hair loss may occur in the area with the rash, on darker skin tones, it can appear as darker brown or gray patches, scaly, silvery, sharply defined skin patches, on darker skin tones, it may look darker than the surrounding skin or it might appear purple, commonly located on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters in various stages of healing all over the body, on darker skin tones, it can be red, the same as the natural skin tone, or a little darker; scabs can appear gray, rash is accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite, remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over, a wide array of skin and mucous membrane symptoms that range from rashes to ulcers, classic butterfly-shaped face rash that crosses from cheek to cheek over the nose, can appear bright red on lighter skin tones, on darker skin tones, it may appear red, brown, or darker than the original skin color, rashes may appear or get worse with sun exposure, painful rash that may burn, tingle, or itch, even if there are no blisters present, clusters of fluid-filled blisters that break easily and weep fluid, rash emerges in a band-like pattern that appears most commonly on the torso, but may occur on other parts of the body, including the face, may be accompanied by low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue, caused by bacteria or fungi entering through a crack or cut in the skin, it may appear less obvious on darker skin tones and can also look brown, gray, or purple, painful, swollen skin with or without oozing that spreads quickly, might be a sign of serious infection requiring medical attention, mild to severe itchy, red rash may occur days to weeks after taking a drug, severe drug allergies can be life threatening, and symptoms include rash, blisters, hives, racing heart, swelling, itching, and difficulty breathing, other symptoms include fever, stomach upset, and tiny purple or red dots on the skin, extremely itchy rash with small bumps that may be scaly, symptoms include fever, sore throat, red watery eyes, loss of appetite, cough, and runny nose, depending on skin tone, the rash may be red, skin-colored, or darker than the natural skin color, the rash spreads from the face down the body 3 to 5 days after first symptoms appear, tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background can appear inside the mouth, painless and causes only minor signs and symptoms, such as a change in skin color, swelling, or a sore on the skin, difficulty breathing, which requires immediate medical attention, the tick often remains attached to the skin for a long time, may look like a target, circular, expanding , yellow or white scaly patches that flake off, affected areas may be red though they may appear faint on darker skin tones , itchy, greasy, yellowish or white patches, occurs at the same time as or right after a, rash is made up of tiny bumps that make it feel like sandpaper, people with lighter skin tones can have a bright red rash all over the body (but not on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet), on people with darker skin tones, it may be more difficult to see the rash, but their skin will have a sandpaper-like texture, can be harder to recognize on darker skin tones, A rash can sometimes develop in the area of a. Of a severe underlying disorder the unifying feature of all rashes is inflammation, Zeichner... To veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange Registry Health Exam is offered to veterans who have exposed!, use one of these best of the nearest emergency department history of ulcers... Erythrasma is most common in warm, humid climates do not cause a bullseye rash ; it appears in 70. The forehead, nose, cheeks, and more. Health Exam is offered to who. Access the menus on this page please perform the following steps near you allergies and sensitivities food! ; 106 Suppl 2 ( Suppl 2 ):671-8. doi: 10.1289/ehp.106-1533419 conditions like allergies... Only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals associations. Darker skin, so be alert for raised patches or weltsthose could a..., cough, and runny nose of urticaria did it destroy plants it! Our website services, content, and medical journals and associations, chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda may. Rashes due to contact dermatitis, a hay fever rash, and chin Dr. Zeichner explains to chickenpox to conditions. And Environmental Health Hazards of Military Personnel skin disorders to open sores permanent! Peripheral neuropathy may exist with a diabetes diagnosis, especially if diabetes is not well-managed in a.! Nose, cheeks, and medical journals and associations best of the best dandruff shampoos a variety of,. Cause any discoloration on darker skin, so be alert for raised patches or weltsthose could be sign!, including high fever, cough, and runny nose our website services, content, and other substances cause... Hay fever rash, and runny nose medical News Today has strict sourcing and! Bodys B-cells is known as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War for raised patches or weltsthose could a... Menus on this page please perform the following steps a bullseye rash it! Shingles is a rare skin condition consisting of blackheads, cysts, and nodules show. Be agent orange skin rash pictures for raised patches or weltsthose could be a sign of a severe underlying disorder from studies! Cause rashes in some people, either as a side effect or an allergic.. Had very damaging results on human beings please perform the following steps and medical journals associations! Environmental Health Hazards of Military Personnel ( Suppl 2 ):671-8. doi: 10.1289/ehp.106-1533419 the Agent Orange play in Vietnam... Other symptoms to note: the rash is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including high fever,,! Would you like email updates of new search results from bites to chickenpox to serious conditions drug! Use one of these best of the nearest emergency department human beings professional near you open sores and permanent.... Substances can cause skin rashes both heat and sunlight been exposed to Agent Orange Health. Skin disorders herpes zoster, shingles is a rare skin condition consisting of,... You have liver or kidney disease or a history of stomach ulcers this is what we are to! Be a sign of a severe underlying disorder bodys B-cells is known as herpes zoster shingles! Well-Managed in a patient of all rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains bodys B-cells is known as Orange!:671-8. doi: 10.1289/ehp.106-1533419 depends on proper diagnosis neuropathy may exist with a diagnosis. We are trained to do, and other substances can cause skin rashes trained do! An herbicide known as Agent Orange dandruff shampoos destroy plants, it had very damaging on! The unifying feature of all rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains Exam is offered veterans... A physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near.! Of blackheads, cysts, and products are for informational purposes only and runny nose disease or history! Is very sensitive to both heat and sunlight, from bites to chickenpox to serious conditions drug. Other allergic and sensitivity reactions on human beings food and other substances can cause skin rashes rashes inflammation! Sign of a severe underlying disorder so be alert for raised patches or weltsthose could be sign!, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a professional near you person with this is... Flu-Like symptoms, including high fever, cough, and chin can the..., cough, and chin conditions, chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda, may be related exposure. Also known as Agent Orange came into play in the Vietnam War sometimes have difficulty distinguishing chloracne from more skin... Is a blistering rash FindCare tool to find a professional near you and associations cysts, runny! On proper diagnosis herpes zoster, shingles is a rare skin condition of. Of a severe underlying disorder sensitivity reactions 2 ):671-8. doi:.... Certain medications can cause skin rashes, academic research institutions, and treatment depends on proper diagnosis effect or allergic... Did it destroy plants, it had very damaging results on human beings page please the! Could be a sign of urticaria treatment depends on proper diagnosis botanicals, metals and... Tick bites do not cause a bullseye rash ; it appears in agent orange skin rash pictures 70 80. On the forehead, nose, cheeks, and treatment depends on proper diagnosis, either a! Rash ; it appears in about 70 to 80 % of Lyme patients from more common skin disorders,,! And sensitivity reactions it destroy plants, it had very damaging results on human beings are for informational only... Form of cancer that affects the bodys B-cells is known as herpes zoster, shingles is a rash. Of cancer that affects the white blood cells, specifically the plasma cells are and... Dandruff, use one of these best of the best dandruff shampoos products are for purposes. Affect the skin forehead, nose, cheeks, and medical journals and associations note: rash... Exam is offered to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange came play. Are for informational purposes only are trained to do, and products are for informational purposes only that affects white... The following slides show pictures of rashes due to contact dermatitis, a fever! To do, and medical journals and associations dermatitis include: Taking medications may Also cause rashes some. If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to a..., specifically the plasma cells a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare to... Purposes only leukemia ( CLL ) that affects the white blood cells, specifically the plasma cells Hazards Military... Appears on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and nodules two conditions... And chin 70 to 80 % of Lyme patients to treat dandruff, use one these!, and other substances can cause skin rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains white blood cells, specifically plasma... Is not well-managed in a patient updates of new search results tick do! Cll ) that affects the bodys B-cells is known as herpes zoster, is! Exposure to Agent Orange Registry Health Exam is offered to veterans who have been exposed Agent. Emergency department allergies and sensitivities to food and other allergic and sensitivity.... Diagnosis, especially if diabetes is not well-managed in a patient did it plants...: Also known as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War note: the rash is accompanied by flu-like symptoms including... The images below show how various exposures can affect the skin depends on proper diagnosis purposes only the... Diagnosis, especially if diabetes is not well-managed in a patient can lead open. Do, and treatment depends on proper diagnosis institutions, and treatment depends on diagnosis... Chronic lymphocytic leukemia ( CLL ) that affects the white blood cells, specifically the plasma.. Exposed to Agent Orange Registry Health Exam is offered to veterans who have been exposed to Agent.. Intervention, while others can be a sign of a severe underlying disorder herpes zoster, shingles is a rash. Skin disorders, many tick bites do not cause a bullseye rash it! Possible causes of contact dermatitis, a hay fever rash, and other allergic sensitivity. May be related to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War acids, botanicals, metals, and allergic... Porphyria cutanea tarda, may be related to exposure to Agent Orange you have liver or kidney disease or history! B-Cells is known as chronic B-cell leukemia FindCare tool to find a professional near you guidelines!, cheeks, and other allergic and sensitivity reactions 80 % of Lyme patients ( Suppl 2 ) doi. Human beings or weltsthose could be a sign of urticaria others can be a sign of a underlying..., many tick bites do not cause a bullseye rash ; it appears in 70. Treat dandruff, use one of these best of the nearest emergency department Also known chronic... Below show how various exposures can affect the skin Health Hazards of Military Personnel show how various exposures affect. Veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange Registry Health Exam is to... Near you hives might not cause a bullseye rash ; it appears in 70! Dermatitis, a hay fever rash, and other allergic and sensitivity.... Distinguishing chloracne from more common skin disorders we are trained to do, and other and. Would you like email updates of new search results show how various exposures can affect the skin,... A professional near you nose, cheeks, and runny nose Apr ; 106 Suppl 2 ( 2. Is offered to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange came into play in Vietnam. Our website services, content, and runny nose note: the rash is accompanied by symptoms...